Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao

It was at Chiang Rai that the famous Emerald Buddha (now in Wat Phra Kaeo in the Grand Palace in Bangkok) first came to light, having remained hidden away for many years in Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao. In 1434 lightning struck a chedi in the wat, investigation of which uncovered a small, rather undistinguished stucco figure. Concealed beneath the plaster was the 75 cm (30 in) green jade or nephrite Buddha. The discovery quickly drew the attention of the king of Lan Na, who resolved that the Emerald Buddha should grace his capital Chiang

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Wat Phra Si Sanphet is the loveliest, and historically most important, temple in old Ayutthaya. Its three large chedis and numerous smaller ones on a long terrace make this wat - also known as the King's Temple - one of the most impressive sights in the ruined city.

Two of the large chedis, the eastern and central ones, were built in 1492 by King Rama Thibodi II to house the ashes of his father and elder brother. His own ashes are interred in the third chedi, built in